Irish justice minister admits surrogacy issue is unsettled

May 25, 2015

Ireland’s justice minister has revealed that the government chose not to address questions about surrogate parenthood until after the nationwide referendum that allowed for legal recognition of same-sex marriage.

“There’s a huge amount of work to be done in that area,” said Frances Fritzgerald. She said that the government is beginning a long-term process that should eventually produce new laws governing assisted reproduction, including surrogacy.

Opponents of same-sex marriage had argued that approval of the referendum on that topic could allow same-sex couples to arrange for surrogate parents. Fitzgerald conceded that this argument had an impact, showing that surrogacy is “a very broad area in need of legislation.”

 

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Further information:

• Referendum: Minister admits surrogacy issue must be addressed (Examiner)